LinkedIn Patches #109 Answer & Analysis

Start with the patches that are forced by the outer edge. The top-left 4-cell patch fits as a long horizontal band, the top-center 4-cell patch fits as a compact block near the upper edge, and the right-edge 4-cell patch is forced into a vertical strip. These placements are strong because the border removes most alternative shapes.

Once the top row is fixed, the left side of row 2 becomes a simple horizontal run, and the blue 3-cell patch in row 3 can sit directly below it. This is a key step because it separates the upper-left region from the center without leaving awkward gaps.

The orange 4-cell patch forms a vertical divider in the middle of the board, and the cyan 4-cell patch forms a compact 2x2 block just to its right. Together, they split the puzzle into smaller regions and prevent the lower half from becoming disconnected.

The three lower-left 4-cell patches fit as vertical strips in the first three columns. This is the cleanest way to use that space, and it also prevents isolated cells from forming along the bottom-left side of the board.

The small 2-cell patch sits just left of the lower-right 4-cell patch, and the final open space becomes a clean 4-cell band across the bottom row. This completes the grid with no overlaps and no empty cells left behind.